Choosing the Best for You: ATV Tires—Radial vs. Bias

As an off-road enthusiast, you want the best ATV which can withstand all the kinds of terrain you will undertake. But do you know what makes the best and durable ATVs? The tires. A high-quality ATV tire is constructed with sidewall protection, 6-ply, an aggressive design, tubes, and tire balls which make it powerful, producing low road noise, and provides comfortable.

Before purchasing any ATV tire, know which kind of ATV tire construction is best for you—radial vs bias.

Understanding ATV tires—radial vs. bias

The automotive tire industry has preferred the radial tire over the bias tire for ATVs and other off-road use. The bias construction tire has been in used in vehicles for highway use but it is still offered at times for off-road purposes.

What are the characteristics of each kind of ATV tire? Why is the radial construction tire more utilized in off-road activities compared to the bias construction tire?

As a sportsman or off-road enthusiast, the important decision you have to make is select between radial and bias ATV tires. This is to make sure that your ATV ride is smooth and comfortable, safe, and can withstand any obstacle. The following sections will describe each kind of tire when it comes to construction, advantages, and disadvantages.

Bias construction ATV tire

In the automotive tire industry, the term “bias” refers to a form of textile production where the fabric has a crisscross design, often at a 45° angle. Bias construction means that a series of ply cords extend diagonally from bead to bead at 30° to 40° in angle. Each ply cord is placed at opposing angles which forms the crisscross design.

The advantages of bias ATV tires are the following:

The crisscross design allows the whole body of the tire to flex because the sidewalls and the tread have only one casing plies

Bias ATV tires have excellent grip, traction, and cleanout, making them best suited for off- road environments

They conform to rocky and rough terrains

Bias construction ATV tires also have disadvantages such as:

The ability to flex can be a major disadvantage depending on use

They form flat spots in the long run

They wear out quicker than radial ATV tires

They have less traction and a smaller footprint

Radial construction ATV tire

Most ATV riders prefer this radial construction tire. They are made of ply cords that spread from bead to bead at about 90° angles to the centerline of the tire. They are parallel to one another and are joined with stabilizer belts.

Why do most ATV riders prefer radial tires? It is because radial construction tires last longer (up to 50% more than the bias construction tire), has better steering control, and has lower rolling resistance. They are also great for fuel economy. They are comfortable and ride smoothly at higher speeds.

Because of these advantages, radial construction ATV tires usually cost more than the bias construction tire. Radial tires are produced with more requirements making them more expensive. However, the cost is overlooked and considered by most ATV riders because radial tires have a longer tire life and are more durable.

Which is better?

It depends on the rider which kind of ATV tire construction is better. If you are just looking for an ATV tire that you will just bruise and bang along off road trails, bias construction tires are better. If you have a limited budget but you are looking for durable sidewalls, good traction and gripping, and self-cleaning capability, the bias construction tire suits you better.

If you are looking for something that will last for years, save fuel, have easier steering control, and be better at higher speeds, then go for the radial construction tire as it is more resistant to puncture and rolls smoother.

There is no such thing as better when it comes to ATV tire construction. It just depends on your application and off road preferences.

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